Durov slams the EU for "killing digital freedom"! Telegram would rather exit France than open a backdoor for user chats.

In recent years, various EU countries have frequently introduced regulations, attempting to force communication platform operators to open encryption backdoors, allowing law enforcement to legally obtain users' conversation content, igniting privacy rights controversies. In response, Telegram founder Pavel Durov on April 21 stated on his platform: "I would rather exit the French market than betray users by secretly providing personal data to the government." He also directly called out the EU for "stifling digital freedom," sparking heated discussions in the public.

I would rather exit France than betray users.

Durov posted on Telegram on 4/21 opposing the EU and the French government’s request for communication platforms to establish encryption backdoors, allowing government agencies to bypass encryption mechanisms to read user conversation content.

He emphasized: "Telegram would rather exit the market than compromise due to government pressure, and it will not infringe on basic human rights."

Durov also subtly criticized other competitors for sacrificing user privacy for market share, but Telegram will firmly uphold user data protection and will never compromise.

Durov's latest remarks angrily criticize the EU for stifling digital freedom, attempting to force businesses to create backdoors to access user data. Why oppose encryption backdoors? Durov: It's not just governments that can use them; hackers can too.

Durov pointed out that the technical risk of encryption backdoors lies in:

Once the mechanism is established

Even hackers, spies, or criminal organizations may invade, making it impossible to guarantee the security of user personal information.

He also reminded that even if the government forces platform operators to open backdoors, those with malicious intent will only turn to other obscure messaging software or use VPNs, making it even harder for the police to trace, effectively punishing the law-abiding users.

Telegram emphasizes that it has never leaked conversation content and only cooperated with the court to disclose IP and phone numbers.

Durov specifically stated that although Telegram will disclose the IP addresses and phone numbers of users involved in crimes in specific jurisdictions such as the EU, in compliance with court orders, he said: "Since its establishment 12 years ago, Telegram has never handed over any private messages regarding users."

He also urged the outside world to continue lobbying the government to defend encryption technology, as it is not only a tool for protecting privacy but also the last line of defense for users against surveillance and harassment.

Although the French Parliament rejected the bill last month, the EU is still advancing the ProtectEU legislation.

Although the French Parliament rejected the proposal to allow secret access to private messages in March, Durov emphasized that this war is not over.

He cited the "ProtectEU" proposal put forward by the European Commission at the beginning of April, which aims to establish a legal framework for accessing communication data by 2026.

The proposal has been criticized by some European lawmakers and privacy groups, with Finnish MEP Aura Salla pointing out that it completely undermines the cybersecurity principles originally advocated by the EU.

EU Member of Parliament Salla criticized the "ProtectEU" bill on LinkedIn, while Durov faces a lawsuit in France, potentially resulting in a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of over 5 million TWD.

But at the same time as Durov was making public statements, he himself was being investigated by French authorities, as prosecutors accused Telegram of providing a platform for illegal transactions and criminal activities. If convicted, he could face 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros.

According to previous reports from Chain News, Durov has left France, and the case is still under investigation.

The clash between digital freedom and national regulation is not yet over.

Durov's remarks once again highlight the escalating contradiction between "national security" and "digital privacy." On one side, the government demands regulation under the guise of anti-terrorism and crime-fighting, while on the other side, tech companies and users defend encryption and privacy freedoms.

To achieve true balance, long-term dialogue and institutional integration will certainly be required.

( The UK demands Apple to provide user data! The US government is furious, triggering a cybersecurity crisis )

This article states that Durov criticized the EU for "stifling digital freedom"! Telegram would rather exit France than open a backdoor for user conversations. Originally appeared on Chain News ABMedia.